MALLAIG – The thud of bean bags hitting wooden boards resonated with the cheers and groans of players and onlookers at the Cabrini Park in Mallaig on Aug. 26. Players, both seasoned and new, were locked in friendly battles, their focused expressions telling tales of hopeful aims.
The beanbag tournament came to a temporary halt as people moved to the street to watch a parade. Rows of tractors passed through, showering candies to those watching. A child hopped in glee and grabbed the candies he could find, the gentle breeze tousling his hair as more children followed to grab their treats.
After the parade, the crowd went back to Cabrini Park to continue the tournament and the festivities.
On Aug. 26, Mallaig’s eighth annual Cabrini Cup - an annual charity bean bag tournament - was hosted alongside the Mallaig Antique Tractor and Car Show. Proceeds from the event will go to the Mallaig Minor Hockey Association, to help with costs at the local arena, and helping the association keep fees low and affordable for families in the community.
Nearly 60 teams signed up this year for the tournament, with each team consisting of two people.
Rachel Vallee, a board member of the minor hockey association, said, “It just makes us feel so good,” seeing the amount of people who showed up to support the event.
“Our community is always amazing. They surprise us every year and they are just so generous,” she added.
And every year, it just keeps getting “better and better." Vallee thanked everyone involved, including sponsors and volunteers.
Events such as the Cabrini Cup are important for community organizations such as Mallaig Minor Hockey. “It’s huge for us to be able to keep our little arena open and the lights on.”
In addition, the event gets everybody in the community together, along with friends and family residing in other communities who travel to Mallaig for the weekend. It's a perfect way to end the summer.
Henri Amyotte, one of the organizers with the Antique Tractor and Car Show, echoed Vallee’s sentiments. “It warms our hearts,” he said, before gesturing to his surroundings where people were sitting at tables socializing or playing in the nearby beanbag tournament.
“It makes for a beautiful setting,” said Amyotte, as he also thanked all the people who pitched in to make the event possible. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes, he said. “So, we appreciate all the help that we had.”
Results from the bean bag tournament include:
First place – Teen Baggers – Lane Martin and Wyatt Gillar
Second place – Little D’s - Daniel Dargis and Darren Hall
Third place – Watch you Holes – Joel Amyotte and Colin Smyl
Results from the tractor and car show include:
Tractor – restored – Garth Crooks (Ardmore) 1926 Case 25-45
Tractor – original – Matt Gervais (Mallaig) 1939 Massey Harris
Truck – restored – Murray Yake (Glendon) 1960 Chev Apache
Truck – original – Steve Jendruck (Elk Point) 1991 Ford F-150
Car – restored – Dave Winger (Lac La Biche) 1937 Dodge Businessmans Coupe
Car – original – Leanne Yake (Glendon) 1967 Firebird
People’s Choice – Neil Musgrave (Two Hills) 1928 Ford Pickup
